Adjusting your diet: Fats and cholesterol

As part of a healthy diet you should watch the amount of fat you have in your diet (particularly saturated fats).

Why?

Eating too much of these fatty foods can result in high levels of fats and cholesterol in the blood. High blood cholesterol is linked to coronary artery disease, which can lead to a heart attack and heart failure. In addition, foods with a high fat content also contain a lot of calories, which can lead to weight gain.

How?

If you have a dietician, they will be able to work with you on the best diet for you. Your diet should include fruit and vegetables, fish, poultry, lean meat, meat-substitutes (e.g. soya), and unsaturated fats. A good habit to get into is reading food labels to find out what the food contains and in what quantities.

You should avoid foods high in saturated fats, for instance those found in whole milk products and red meats. Cutting down on egg yolks and animal products in general will help to reduce your cholesterol level.